Watching
Sidney Ponson on ESPN Wednesday was illuminating. He just LOOKED like a workhorse starting pitcher -– a big strong guy with pop and movement on his pitches.
Ponson threw some runaway fastballs and left some balls up, which is always a concern. But he also changed speeds, got lots of groundball outs and looked like a guy that could pitch all day.
General manager
Walt Jocketty didn’t really need another starting pitcher, but Ponson was too good of a bargain to pass on. Similar bargains were scarce among relief pitchers, a greater team need, and among outfielders.
As Ponson progresses this spring, Jocketty gains confidence in his surplus of starting pitching. How many other teams have five strong starting pitchers, much less a surplus?